Match on Main Grants Create 338 New Jobs, Support for 69 Small Businesses

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) support for 69 small businesses across Michigan through the MEDC’s Match on Main program. The over $1.5 million in grants awarded to small local businesses will create resiliency and strengthen downtowns in Main Street communities throughout the state.  

The Match on Main program serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses as they launch and grow in core downtown areas and commercial districts by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support an eligible small business through a competitive application process. The FY26 Match on Main application window yielded a total of 144 applicants from 83 communities – the highest participation rate in the program’s history and a signal for the high demand that exists for this program’s support.  

“Michigan’s small businesses are the heart of our downtowns,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Today’s Match on Main grants will provide 69 small businesses across the state with the support they need to grow, thrive, and create bustling, vibrant main streets. By investing in communities across our state, we will continue to make Michigan the best place to live, work, and thrive.”

“Match on Main continues to play an important role in strengthening Michigan’s downtowns and commercial districts by helping small businesses invest, grow, and thrive,” said Chris Rishko, managing director of Small Business at the MEDC. “Since the program’s launch in 2019, Match on Main has helped generate significant private investment, support job creation and retention, and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs across the state. By empowering locally owned businesses, we’re helping build vibrant communities and fostering long-term economic growth throughout Michigan.”  

Since 2019, Match on Main has supported 727 small businesses through partnerships with 147 community organizations, resulting in the creation of 705 full-time and 1,152 part-time jobs. Additionally, the program has deployed $7.6 million in grant funding and leveraged more than $25 million in private investment. 

FY26 Match on Main Recipients 

The total for FY26 grants awarded across the 69 small business awardees is $1,573,936; $75,000 in grant funding was rolled over from FY25. 

Of the FY26 Match on Main grantees awarded, 15 are new businesses and 54 are existing businesses, including 26 restaurants, 21 retail establishments, nine service businesses and 13 other businesses that demonstrate a commitment to revitalizing community infrastructure and boosting local employment. Additionally, 41 businesses selected are located within Geographically Disadvantaged Areas.   

In Hudsonville, 317 Coffee will modernize its customer ordering and communication systems through the installation of professionally designed menu displays, including framed printed menu boards and a Samsung 43-inch digital display capable of showcasing seasonal offerings, promotions, and community event information in real time. The project also includes professional refinishing of the existing menu and accent walls using a decorative Roman clay finish to create a cohesive, durable, and visually engaging environment that complements the technology improvements and enhances the café’s role as a community gathering space and local artist showcase. Collectively, the improvements will support operational efficiency, reduce customer confusion during peak service periods, strengthen the visitor experience, and contribute to the vibrancy and activation of the surrounding downtown district. 

In Hamtramck, Gajiza Dumplins will utilize Match on Main funding for critical equipment purchases, kitchen buildout improvements, façade enhancements, signage, and outdoor seating infrastructure that will allow the business to expand production capacity, improve operational efficiency, reduce overhead costs associated with commissary kitchen usage, and create a more vibrant and activated pedestrian environment. The project also positions the business for future growth opportunities, including a full-service Southeast Asian restaurant concept and expansion into regional grocery distribution, while contributing to the continued activation and economic vitality of the Hamtramck commercial district. 

In Wakefield, Z’s Hometown Market will make critical infrastructure and accessibility improvements that enhance the long-term functionality, safety, and inclusivity of an existing downtown business. Match on Main funding will support electrical service upgrades, including new panels, wiring, and expanded circuit capacity necessary to improve operational reliability and support future business needs, as well as the replacement of a deteriorating automatic entrance door to maintain accessible public access to the facility. By investing in both core infrastructure and customer accessibility improvements, the project strengthens the business’s ability to continue serving the community, improves the visitor experience, and contributes to the continued vitality and usability of the surrounding commercial district.

MATCH ON MAIN FY26 - AWARDEES
Awardee	Name of Business	DBA, If Applicable	Total Award
Region 1
City of Houghton	Center Ice Skate and Sport, Inc.	Rhythm Bike Shop	$25,000.00
City of Wakefield	Z's Hometown Market, LLC		$25,000.00
City of Marquette	Kognisjon Bryggeri, LLC		$25,000.00
City of Negaunee	The Negaunee Holdings LLC		$25,000.00
Village of L’Anse	Village Gift Store, LLC	L'Anse Beer Co.	$15,000.00
City of Houghton	Armando's Inc.	Armando's Restaurant and Douglass Saloon	$2,500.00
City of Ironwood	UP-N-Smoke BBQ LLC		$25,000.00
Escanaba	Nevaeh Salon LLC		$25,000.00
Munising	Falling Rock Cafe, LLC	Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore	$25,000.00
Region 2
Boyne City Main Street	N & N LTD, LLC	inspired living	$10,000.00
Village of Elk Rapids	Tinker Tailor	Tinker Tailor	$25,000.00
City of Manistee	Velocity Athletics	Manistee Performance Gym	$25,000.00
Village of Benzonia	Upriver, LC		$25,000.00
City of Manistee	Maxx & Coco LLC	ENDAAYING	$22,409.00
City of Cadillac	AK & SM Properties	Main Street Floral	$25,000.00
Traverse City	The Red Piano TC LLC	The Red Piano	$24,952.00
Region 3
City of Tawas City	Coleman's Beach Resort, LLC	Coleman's Resort	$25,000.00
City of West Branch	Olive Rose Boutique	Olive Rose Boutique	$25,000.00
City of Alpena DDA	Northeast Michigan Center for Fine Arts, Inc.	Art in the Loft	$25,000.00
Cheboygan	The MITT Deli & Spirits, LLC		$25,000.00
City of West Branch	Auntie's Gift Store LLC	The Dirty Mitten	$25,000.00
City of East Tawas	The Bento Bowl, LLC		$25,000.00
Rogers City Main Street	Beauty Boutique		$20,000.00
Village of Roscommon	Livingston Enterprises Inc.	Greens Tavern	$25,000.00
Region 4
Hudsonville DDA	317 Coffee	317 Coffee	$25,000.00
City of Ionia DDA	County Seat Brewing Company, LLC		$25,000.00
City Of Plainwell	Nine Moons, LLC		$25,000.00
City of White Cloud	Wilcox Ave. Cafe LLC	Wilcox Ave Coffeehouse	$25,000.00
Grand Rapids	Arts Marketplace at Studio Park		$25,000.00
City of Zeeland	Mandu Escapes LLC	La Creme	$16,984.00
City of Newaygo	Newaygo Brewery, LLC	Newaygo Brewing Co	$23,222.00
City of Hart	The Monarch in Hart, LLC		$25,000.00
City of Whitehall, MI	The General Store	PAS Holdings, LLC	$25,000.00
Grand Haven Main Street DDA	K & V Inc.	Tip-A-Few Tavern	$25,000.00
City of Fennville DDA	Khenmu Studio LLC	Root Coffeehouse	$25,000.00
Region 5
City of Bay City	HOD Hospitality Group, LLC	Lumberman's Mercantile	$25,000.00
City of Saginaw	CT Legacy Ventures	The Brunch Guy	$25,000.00
Mt. Pleasant's Central District	HBHF5 Properties LLC		$25,000.00
City of Harrison DDA	Babes Country Kitchen LLC		$25,000.00
Region 6
Owosso Main Street & DDA	Szechuan Gardens of Owosso, Inc.	Fortune House	$25,000.00
City of Laingsburg	Tank's Tavern, LLC	Tank's Tavern	$25,000.00
Village of Lexington	Barlour L.L.C.	Lake Effect	$25,000.00
Lapeer	The Whitney CAS LLC		$25,000.00
City of Swartz Creek	BELLA'S BOOK NOOK & CAFE L.L.C		$1,611.00
Region 7
Old Town Lansing	Zick and Nach LLC		$24,898.00
Downtown Lansing	La Fille Gallery LLC	La Fille Gallery	$25,000.00
Region 8
City of Albion - Superior Street Commercial Historic District	Friends of the Bohm Theatre	Bohm Theatre	$25,000.00
City of Bronson	Shaunda's Hair Chair		$20,225.00
Three Rivers DDA/Main Street	Daly Lash & Spa, LLC	Daly Lash & Spa	$25,000.00
City of Kalamazoo	Flourishing Tree Charcuterie LLC	The Grazing Table Kalamazoo	$17,233.00
Niles	Brass Alley Live, LLC	Brass Alley Live	$25,000.00
Village of Stevensville	Naturally You Management LLC		$25,000.00
Village of Cassopolis	The Dino Project LLC		$25,000.00
Coldwater Main Street	Glo Studio		$22,668.00
Region 9
Jackson DDA	RJ's Burgers & Ice Cream - Jackson		$25,000.00
Downtown Blissfield	Sugartown Sweets & Soda Shoppe	N/A	$25,000.00
Downtown Adrian Main Street DDA	Mandy Makes N' Bakes		$25,000.00
Saline Historic Downtown Alliance dba Saline Main Street	G-9 Taverns, Inc.	Brecon Grille & Pub	$25,000.00
City of Tecumseh	BCKS INVESTMENTS LLC		$25,000.00
Ypsilanti DDA	Growing Hope, Inc		$25,000.00
Howell	Good Sense Coffee LLC	Good Sense Coffee	$25,000.00
Region 10
City of Hamtramck	Gajiza, LLC	Gajiza Dumplins	$25,000.00
Mexicantown Main Street	Cafe Clark Detroit, LLC		$25,000.00
Ferndale DDA	SMARTY PLANTS & EVENTS, LLC	Blumz Florist	$25,000.00
City of Romulus	Greca Martial Art Academy LLC		$11,130.00
Grosse Pointe (City of Grosse Pointe DDA d/b/a Main Street Grosse Pointe)	Boggess Art, LLC	Posterity Art & Framing Gallery	$16,104.00
Vanguard CDC	PAL PROPERTIES, LLC	The Dotty Dozen, LLC	$25,000.00
Oak Park Corridor Improvement Authority	Grammy Pants LLC	Grammy Pants	$25,000.00
City of Hamtramck	Porcelinen, LLC		$25,000.00

Michigan’s small businesses are a vital part of the state’s economy, employing more than 1.8 million people. Helping businesses to open and grow is a key focus of the MEDC, and the Match on Main Street program provides opportunities for new and expanding businesses located in Main Street districts to ‘Make It in Michigan.’  

Get more information on the Match on Main program. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.